After completing a journalism degree at the University of the Sunshine Coast, I joined the Sunshine Coast Daily in 2010. As the Daily’s police reporter, the round is unprectible, diverse and challenging, but also exciting and is a dream position for me. In between heading to emergency incidents, I love getting the chance to write about amateur and professional theatre and the arts. I’ve also worked in various community roles at the Caboolture News, Buderim Chronicle and Caloundra Weekly. Having...

Mrs Lanham tried to save Didi by throwing her over a fence, to no avail.

All thr permit to keep the dogs.ee of the American staffie cross dogs, who broke free from their Lutana Cres home yesterday morning, were seized by authorities and the owner gave permission for one of them to be euthanised.

The fate of the other two dogs is yet to be decided, with council to investigate the incident.

The American staffies were kept at the same home - an illegal practice without a permit. Sunshine Coast Council confirmed the owner did not have a permit.

The dog attack was the 37th reported to Sunshine Coast Council in the past four weeks - 28 on other dogs and nine on humans.

Community services director Coralie Nichols said the council was fed up with attacks and would come down heavy on errant dog owners.

"The council is drawing a line in the sand today and advising that we will not tolerate dogs not under effective control in the community, that we have zero tolerance for aggressive and dangerous dogs and that we will ensure that owners of these animals will be held responsible for their dogs' unacceptable behaviour," she said.

"We are warning owners of dogs that attack - we will enforce to the full extent of the law, which could include fines of over $30,000 and euthanasia of your dog.

"Our officers will step up their inspections. Dog owners' fences will be checked and dog registration will be checked."

Ms Lanham's partner, Greg, said the experience was traumatic for them both, especially after they were still reeling from the recent loss of their two border collies.

"It was totally not provoked, they just went for her," Mr Lanhan said.

"There's been two animals killed here within a space of minutes. It was not killing to eat like animals do, it was a straight-out kill.

She was a beautiful little dog, eight months old, and we've lost family."

SUNSHINE COAST COUNCIL FINES

$227 Allowing a dog to roam in on-leash areas

$11,385 A dog attacks another animal and causes death or grievous harm